NEILSTON co-manager Martin Campbell wants to unite the community behind the club after admitting the Farmer’s Boys haven’t punched their weight in recent seasons.

Campbell and fellow co-boss John Paul Dow arrive at Brig O’Lea with Neilston having narrowly escaped relegation from the Central District First Division last season.

The former Greenock Juniors manager admits that isn’t good enough for a club of Neilston’s standing. And with a new management team in place and a revamped squad, Campbell is confident Neilston is a club on the up.

He said: “I think Neilston is definitely a club that has been underachieving. During most of my time as a player and in management, Neilston were always a top team playing at a high level.

“One thing about Neilston is when they are doing well the community really get behind them.

“I get the feeling from the boys who were here last season that they were disappointed in the way it worked out last season because they know they are better than that.”

Campbell and Dow were sacked by Greenock Juniors in May. On a tight budget they looked to have steered Greenock to safety in the Super League First Division.

However a dramatic end-of-season recovery by Yoker Athletic saw Steven Reilly’s side sneak above Greenock on goal difference and send them down to the Central District First, where they will meet Campbell and Dow’s new-look Neilston side. Campbell admits he was surprised by the decision but relishes his new challenge at Brig O’Lea.

He said: “We felt we were working hard towards something at Greenock. At one point around the Christmas period if we had won a couple of games we would’ve been around the promotion places to get into the top league, which for a club like Greenock would’ve been exceptional.

“We felt a bit disappointed the way it ended up but I like to think things happen for a reason and we’re delighted to have the Neilston job. The difference between how the two clubs are run is night and day.”